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RedditThe corrupting influence of monied interests is so established by now, such a dog-bites-man story that it can be hard to find novel and compelling ways to retell it. But luckily for us chroniclers of same the sheer depth, breath and audacity of the corruption continues to grow at such a pace that tracking its outer edges makes for good (but depressing) copy.
Today's latest installment, which has the internet a twitter is the revelation that the Washington Post has set itself up a kind of influence broker for corporate lobbyists, arranging off-the-record dinners with key White House policy makers which lobbyists can attend for the low low price of $25,000. Mike Allen of Politico has the (very good) scoop:
For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, nonconfrontational access to "those powerful few" -- Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper's own reporters and editors.The astonishing offer is detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he feels it's a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its "health care reporting and editorial staff."
The offer -- which essentially turns a news organization into a facilitator for private lobbyist-official encounters -- is a new sign of the lengths to which news organizations will go to find revenue at a time when most newspapers are struggling for survival.
And it's a turn of the times that a lobbyist is scolding The Washington Post for its ethical practices.
So far most of the criticism has focused (rightly) on the Washington Post, but what I want to know is: who at the White House was planning to attend and were they aware that this was a high-priced lobbying session? If so, shouldn't there be repercussions for allowing access to them to be sold?
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Posted by Citizen54 at 07/02/2009 @ 10:04am
it could be worse. in Italy the prime minister own most of the media outlets. it's as if Rupert Murdoch was president of the United States.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/02/2009 @ 10:37am
That alot of money. That is pretty depressing. I really want to know who from the white house or congress was going to attend. Or was this just a lame attempt by the post to increase revenue during a time when the news paper industry is starving?
Posted by Extraneous at 07/02/2009 @ 10:38am
It's "free speech"...with a price tag.
You pay only the shipping and handling*
*(S&H fees may exceed actual sales price. Price subject to change without notice. Buyer agrees to binding arbritration in lieu of other legal recourse. California residents responsible for sales tax. The lobbyist you order may not be the lobbyist you receive, WaPo retains the right to substitute "like products" as stock is limited to thousands of clone-like suits)
Posted by crabwalk at 07/02/2009 @ 10:38am
The Almighty Dollar will reign supreme in Washington, even if it falters on the world's exchange. Meanwhile the American public continues to slumber like Rip Van Winkle as insiders reap the harvest. The buck stops there.
Posted by Sorelish at 07/02/2009 @ 10:50am
I guess when Obama said he would be the Change president he meant he would just change how they rake in the money?
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:32am
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:32am
What are you crying about? You're one of the primary defenders of corporate greed.
Posted by Sorelish at 07/02/2009 @ 11:45am
The Washington Post has become a shill for the Republican Party. It happened years ago, but now, for your money, Republicans get two for one: You not only get the ability to meet and greet with the Washington elite, you also get journalistic cover and are only quoted on "deep background."
To the editors of the Post: Have you no journalistic shame? It's truly sad that this was the paper that broke Watergate open. That would never happen today.
If anyone from the Obama administration was taking part in this, they should be fired.
Posted by Stephen_Carver1 at 07/02/2009 @ 11:50am
What are you crying about? You're one of the primary defenders of corporate greed.
Posted by Sorelish at 07/02/2009 @ 11:45am
Nonsense. Show me where I've ever supported greed.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:50am
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:50am
Your championing of for profit medicine, for starters.
Posted by Sorelish at 07/02/2009 @ 12:03pm
I guess when Obama said he would be the Change president he meant he would just change how they rake in the money?
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:32am
So with such a laissez-faire, pro-capitalistic stance, then, he's not such a lefty, is he?
Posted by schnellerheinz at 07/02/2009 @ 12:26pm
I find it shocking, ...SHOCKING.... that this is going on there. We should close the place down immediately, and round up the usual suspects.
Posted by Freewheelin_Franklin at 07/02/2009 @ 12:30pm
Your championing of for profit medicine, for starters.
Posted by Sorelish at 07/02/2009 @ 12:03pm
Just because I don't support govt run healthcare doesn't mean I support greed.
That is really making absurd assumptions on your part.
As you know, I don't even use for profit medicine and I have no financial interest in for profit medicine.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 12:38pm
The most important thing we can do to correct a corrupt political process is public financing of elections.
Until this happens, no change in the status quo of bought off politicians will change. Without campaign finance reform we can kiss any real change in government goodbye. Lobbyists are a cancer on the body politic.
They should be run out of Washington on a rail. A corporation is not and should not have the same rights as a human being. There used to be a corporate death penalty. If a corporation was judged to not be serving the public interest, it was DISSOLVED! The death penalty for corporations should be reinstated and all the lobbyists that suck off the sharks like a remora should be buried with them.
This is not an issue that is negotiable. DEATH to Corporations that do not serve the public interest!!
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 12:57pm
The Democrats now have what could be a considered a "Super Majority" in the House and the Senate. With "Al Frankenstein" on board the weak kneed Democrats no longer have the whiney excuse "we don't have 60 votes, wah wah!"
And the bend over crowd like Harry Reid no longer have a stump to lean over and hope for a Republican reach around.
Now is the time to ram through the agenda that we put these jokers in office for! Screw the Republicans. Buncha sociopaths anyway.
Ram through single payer healthcare, EFCA, A real energy bill, Tough trade policies and most importantly campaign finance reform.
Whip these pussy Democrats into shape. Or boil into the streets by the millions and demand it!
Enough of this crap!
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:13pm
This is not an issue that is negotiable. DEATH to Corporations that do not serve the public interest!!
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 12:57pm
Nice totalitarian rhetoric, comrade.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 1:13pm
Or boil into the streets by the millions and demand it! Enough of this crap! Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:13pm | ignore this person | warn this person
have you marched in a demonstration, like an anti war demo, recently?
Posted by emile duBois at 07/02/2009 @ 1:17pm
Carpe Diem! Carpe Diem!
Ya buncha sleepy lazy layabouts!
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:19pm
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 1:13pm
This from the guy that would outlaw unions.
Give it a rest Lare bear.
I am trying to remember when you had a post that favored the small guy over the corporation. I am thinking....can't find it...
How about when someone suggested morality over profit? Nope, you usually come down on the side of profit.
There could be a reason so many here "misconstrue" your posts. It could be because you don't really realize who you are.
Posted by crabwalk at 07/02/2009 @ 1:20pm
If we had the ability to pass campaign finance reform we wouldn't need it
There will always be ways to buy politicians. What we need are honest candidates but neither of them want to run.
Posted by !immutable at 07/02/2009 @ 1:21pm
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:19pm\
No, this is a blog, it is
Carp Daily.
Posted by crabwalk at 07/02/2009 @ 1:22pm
have you marched in a demonstration, like an anti war demo, recently?
Posted by emile duBois at 07/02/2009 @ 1:17pm
Whadaya want? A freakin resume'? Maybe the hitchikers guide to public demonstration?
Crap man, it's not rocket science...
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:23pm
Posted by !immutable at 07/02/2009 @ 1:21pm
How about we elect a group of people that espouse family values and Judeao Christian ethics?
What could go wrong?
Posted by crabwalk at 07/02/2009 @ 1:24pm
The Dems are in power now. What are you afraid of? A bunch of scarecrows that can't even stand up on their hind legs and do what the peoples work? These are Democrats. They will shiver in their boots if we rise up.
You whine constantly about how you don't have this or don't have that, but when the opportunity of a generation comes along to actually get these things you sit on your hands. Get on your feet and find your balls and demand what you want.
Jesus.. I can't hold yer hand.
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:30pm
I'm just one voice in the wilderness of complacency. Stand up dammit!
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:32pm
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person
you did not answer my question. in the past years there have been some fairly large anti war rallies. did you participate? or is this something you exhort others to do, but not do yourself.
I think it's a legitimate question.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/02/2009 @ 1:38pm
Posted by crabwalk at 07/02/2009 @ 1:24pm
I said honest!
Posted by !immutable at 07/02/2009 @ 1:38pm
Will Rodgers once said, "I don't belong to any organized party. I'm a Democrat".
I'm done for today.
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:40pm
I think it's a legitimate question.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/02/2009 @ 1:38pm
Excuse me Mr. Prosecutor, but I don't owe you any explanations, reccomendations or applications.
I'm not expending valuable energy for no reason. That is all you need to know.
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 1:43pm
Don't understand what all the fuss is about? ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Huffington, the Nation etc. are all rolling over all for free and out of Love for the Obamanation that makes desolation administration daily...so whats wrong with doing it for money?
Posted by BigPasture at 07/02/2009 @ 1:43pm
BigPustule.
Obamanation makes desolation... Jesus, why don't you get a book to enlarge your vocabulary? I mean. how can we make fun of you if you just say the same things all the time?
Now let's be fair.
Republicans :Stupid, pro business, trickle down the leg popsicle salesmen.
Democrats: idealist, do-nothing, whining obstructionists. That's our government!
Now, go find your marbles!
Posted by ficheye at 07/02/2009 @ 2:07pm
.....so whats wrong with doing it for money?
Posted by BigPasture at 07/02/2009 @ 1:43pm
Nothing, for the MSM......other than NOT being the FIRST one to be undressed!
Posted by Happy at 07/02/2009 @ 2:49pm
Nonsense. Show me where I've ever supported greed.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:50am
I wouldn't say greed but I have in the past seen you defend the lobbyists of Washington. I don't know if that is your current position.
Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/02/2009 @ 4:02pm
Nonsense. Show me where I've ever supported greed.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 11:50am
I wouldn't say greed but I have in the past seen you defend the lobbyists of Washington. I don't know if that is your current position.
Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/02/2009 @ 4:02pm
of course I support the right to lobby; that is what our constitution is all about. Lobbyists represent every spectrum of America, corporations, nonprofits, special interests including leftist environmental groups.
Why wouldn't I support lobbyists?
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 4:58pm
of course I support the right to lobby; that is what our constitution is all about. Lobbyists represent every spectrum of America, corporations, nonprofits, special interests including leftist environmental groups.
Why wouldn't I support lobbyists?
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 4:58pm
Because of situations like these. They put he interests of a few above the whole. They put the interests of those who can afford to pay for contact above everyone else's, and they give gifts to get what they want.
Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/02/2009 @ 5:10pm
"special interests including leftist environmental groups."
And my condemnation includes these groups too.
Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/02/2009 @ 5:24pm
Because of situations like these. They put he interests of a few above the whole. They put the interests of those who can afford to pay for contact above everyone else's, and they give gifts to get what they want.
Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/02/2009 @ 5:10pm
Sorry CCC, but lobbying is essential to the American liberty experiment. Anyone can put together a coalition of people with shared interests to lobby Washington so that their concerns and interests can be heard. And contrary to your opinion, lobbying isn't solely the result of money.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 6:30pm
Sorry CCC, but lobbying is essential to the American liberty experiment. Anyone can put together a coalition of people with shared interests to lobby Washington so that their concerns and interests can be heard. And contrary to your opinion, lobbying isn't solely the result of money.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 6:30pm
True it isn't solely the result of money. But if you want to be able to talk to the higher ups and get your opinion heard money is very helpful. After all look at the article we are looking at.
Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/02/2009 @ 6:58pm
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 12:38pm
MonaVie is Mormon through and through - same G-d at least.
And also very cool, it is delicious!
Posted by winyahn at 07/02/2009 @ 8:38pm
Posted by schnellerheinz at 07/02/2009 @ 12:26pm
Very enjoyable little come-back. Keep it up even though Anti will ignore all substantial proofs of his hypocrisy.
Posted by winyahn at 07/02/2009 @ 8:42pm
This is not an issue that is negotiable. DEATH to Corporations that do not serve the public interest!!
Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 12:57pm
Nice totalitarian rhetoric, comrade.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 1:13pm
Question for you Larry;
What is a corporation?
Is it not a government charter, for more than one of us to act as one? The power of many, with the liability of none, is a powerful licence to grant against the publics best interest.
If the government is the people, and the corporation only exists because the government chartered it and the actions of the corporation are a detriment to the people (and in rare cases the security of the nation the government represents), then why should we continue that charter?
You claim to be a strict constitutionalist. What does the constitution say about corporations?
Macabre rhetoric, maybe...but, totalitarian?
I wonder how many commernists you think you see every day. (Quick! Check the bushes!)
Posted by Malcontent at 07/02/2009 @ 10:11pm
And contrary to your opinion, lobbying isn't solely the result of money.
Posted by antisocialist at 07/02/2009 @ 6:30pm
Only in theory. In reality, it's all about money. The lobbies with the most money to play with win every time.
The sad fact is that there is no longer any concept of corruption and conflict of interest in Washington. It's all part of doing business.
Posted by Shingo at 07/03/2009 @ 07:04am
The Washington Post has become a shill for the Republican Party. Posted by Stephen_Carver1 at 07/02/2009 @ 11:50am
This is the funniest line I've heard in a long, long time. What's even funnier is Mr. Carver probably believes it.
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 11:54am
Hey Steven Carver, If the WaPo has become such nothing but a shill for republicans, why did this happen under the Obama admin and not GWB's admin?
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 11:58am
The most important thing we can do to correct a corrupt political process is public financing of elections.......They should be run out of Washington on a rail. Posted by chaoszen at 07/02/2009 @ 12:57pm
I see this from time to time and it just makes me laugh. Public financing of elections? Chaoszen, you should stop and think before you write such dumb suggestions. Who is going to write the legislation for the public financing of elections? The very same group of idiots who you want to run out of D.C. on a rail...that's who. In my world, that does not make sense. In your world, it might.
We already have the opportunity to run these people out of Wash. every two years.
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 12:19pm
Sorelish complains about a for profit medical industry. What a moron! Listen, all you liberal idiots.......Capitalism has created just about every medical and technological breakthough in the last 100 years! The US is an infant nation, yet we have the highest standards of living, the most opportunity, and are the most powerful nation on the planet, and this all occurred, in less than 250 years. What did this infant nation do different than those socialist/communist utopian societies such as France, Canada, Britain etc? Um, it gave people freedom, liberty, and opportunity through capitalism. Capitalism increases MOTIVATION (to create better drugs, healthcare, quality of life etc.), and Socialism/Communism/Barack Obama KILL Motivation and cause misery!!!!! Moron!!!
Posted by barry25 at 07/03/2009 @ 1:15pm
If the WaPo has become such nothing but a shill for republicans, why did this happen under the Obama admin and not GWB's admin? Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 11:58am | ignore this person | warn this person
it DID happen during the eight years of Bush. the Wapo supported the wars for instance.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/03/2009 @ 1:33pm
How about when someone suggested morality over profit? Nope, you usually come down on the side of profit.
Posted by crabwalk at 07/02/2009 @ 1:20pm
Crab, try paying bills with just morals. Good luck. Jobs come from corporations. Profits keep corporations in business. Without profits, no corporations. No corporations, no jobs. It's as if I'm explaining this to a second grader.
And another thing, when has the left ever been concerned about morals?
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 1:37pm
it DID happen during the eight years of Bush. the Wapo supported the wars for instance.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/03/2009 @ 1:33pm
Yeah? So did the majority of the HoR and Senate. Please....we are being serious here.
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 1:40pm
get off your high horse, Mr. serious
Posted by emile duBois at 07/03/2009 @ 2:02pm
You just hate it when I'm right, huh Emile.
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 2:06pm
right about what?
Posted by emile duBois at 07/03/2009 @ 2:09pm
Forget it. I don't have the time to explain. You are a grown-up I presume....figure it out for yourself.
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 2:15pm
that was sarcasm.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/03/2009 @ 2:16pm
"So far most of the criticism has focused (rightly) on the Washington Post, but what I want to know is: who at the White House was planning to attend and were they aware that this was a high-priced lobbying session? If so, shouldn't there be repercussions for allowing access to them to be sold? "
Beyond the reflexive dislike of lobbyists, there is something more important: the WaPo's editorial independence. An analogy: suppose the White House went to the NYT and the WaPo and said, "here's some ad-buys, and maybe some low-interest loans, and hey how bout some 'grants', to help keep you going? [If your journalism is 'responsible'.] America really needs your help, now, in this time of crisis, to hear information which will give them hope. Are you with me?"
We just saw the WaPo try to sell its soul. And the White House said, "OK".
Posted by wrecktafire at 07/03/2009 @ 5:15pm
No corporations, no jobs.
Posted by fram at 07/03/2009 @ 1:37pm
I am a corporation? My employees don't have jobs? The guys I farm machine and paint work out to, don't have jobs?
If I incorporate, do I just get my own congressman, or do I still have to buy one?
It's as if I'm explaining this to a second grader.
Posted by Malcontent at 07/03/2009 @ 6:19pm
Posted by Malcontent at 07/03/2009 @ 6:19pm | ignore this person | warn this person
good point.
Posted by emile duBois at 07/03/2009 @ 6:40pm
I'm surprised this came from Politico's Mike Allen, whose reports usually just quote from the repub party line.
You are right, Chris. The real question is, who in the White House was to participate? This is supposed to be the anti-lobyist White House.
Posted by politicscorner at 07/04/2009 @ 5:03pm
The contributor "fram" is clueless.
Posted by politicscorner at 07/04/2009 @ 5:05pm
This is typical Washington beltway media group think... the news at WAPO is 'for sale'... only $25,000 per column inch. Let the bidding begin! Conclusion: the sooner the beltway media disappear, the better we'll ALL be
Posted by vanron100 at 07/04/2009 @ 8:24pm
Next, we'll all pretend to be shocked when The Post moves it's home bureau to Tel Aviv. Maybe it already has.
Posted by DejaVu at 07/05/2009 @ 6:36pm